Merkel roars to 2nd term, new coalition in German election thanks to strong ally

BERLIN — Final results confirm that Chancellor Angela Merkel has won a second term and a majority for a new center-right government in Germany’s parliamentary election.

Chancellor Angela Merkel claims victory for new center-right alliance in German election

BERLIN — Chancellor Angela Merkel has claimed victory for a new center-right government in Germany’s general election.

Merkel rival Steinmeier says center-left party has suffered “bitter defeat” in German election

BERLIN — The challenger to Chancellor Angela Merkel, Frank-Walter Steinmeier of the Social Democrats, has conceded defeat in Germany’s election.

Arizona congressman opposed to abortion clarifies remark calling Obama an ‘enemy of humanity’

WASHINGTON — A Republican congressman who called President Barack Obama an “enemy of humanity” said Tuesday that he should have made clear that he was referring to the president’s policies related to abortion.

Merkel wins 2nd term, new coalition in German election; rival Steinmeier crushed

BERLIN — German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Sunday won the center-right majority that eluded her four years ago — nudging Europe’s biggest economic power to the right as it claws its way out of a deep recession.

Germany’s Social Democrats plunge to historic low, face tough questions in opposition

BERLIN — Germany’s Social Democrats thought their election result would be bad — but not this bad.

Liberals fail to win government-run insurance option in Senate health care bill

WASHINGTON — In a long-anticipated showdown, liberal Democrats twice failed on Tuesday to inject a government-run insurance option into sweeping health care legislation taking shape in the Senate, despite bipartisan agreement that private insurers must change their ways.

Merkel wins 2nd term; begins paving way for new center-right government in Germany

BERLIN — Chancellor Angela Merkel on Monday set about laying the groundwork for her new, center-right coalition with the pro-business Free Democrats after German voters returned her to office for a second term.

Germans hold parliamentary elections amid economic concerns, Islamic threats

BERLIN — Germans were deciding Sunday whether to return the nation’s first woman chancellor to a second term in office following a lackluster election campaign centered largely on economic issues and a rash of last-minute threats by Islamic extremists.

California Republicans finish convention, look ahead to 2010 races for governor, US Senate

INDIAN WELLS, Calif. — The Republican race to challenge liberal stalwart Barbara Boxer for her U.S. Senate seat next year is shaping up as a likely contest between a socially conservative state lawmaker and a former Silicon Valley chief executive whose views are barely known to GOP voters in the state.

Exit polls: Merkel’s party leads in German election, on track for new coalition

BERLIN — An exit poll shows Chancellor Angela Merkel’s conservatives have emerged from Germany’s election as the strongest party and are on track to form a new center-right government.

Obama’s Olympic pitch draws GOP complaint about lack of priorities

NEW YORK — President Obama’s decision to travel to Copenhagen to boost Chicago’s chances of winning the 2016 Olympics has drawn criticism from some Republicans, who call it a boondoggle for Obama’s hometown allies and evidence the president has blurred his priorities.

Liberal Democrats twice fail to inject gov’t-run insurance option in Senate health care bill

WASHINGTON — In a long-anticipated showdown, liberal Democrats twice failed on Tuesday to inject a government-run insurance option into sweeping health care legislation taking shape in the Senate, despite bipartisan agreement that private insurers must change their ways.

Germans hold parliamentary elections amid economic concerns, terror threats

BERLIN — Germans voted Sunday on whether to give Chancellor Angela Merkel a second term at the helm of Europe’s largest economy, as the country faces rising unemployment and threats by Islamic extremists over Germany’s role in Afghanistan.

Ex-Dem fundraiser sentenced in NYC to 24 years in case that embarrassed Clinton campaign

NEW YORK — Former Democratic fundraiser Norman Hsu was sentenced Tuesday to more than 24 years in prison by a judge who accused him of funding his fraud by manipulating the political process in a way that “strikes at the very core of our democracy.”

Germany’s Merkel vows to press ahead quickly with forming new center-right government

BERLIN — Chancellor Angela Merkel vowed Monday to have a new center-right German government in place by the time Germany marks 20 years since the fall of the Berlin Wall on Nov. 9. She said tax cuts were possible in 2011, but rejected savings measures that might strangle an incipient economic recovery.

Calif. gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman’s voting record questioned at state GOP convention

INDIAN WELLS, Calif. — California Republican gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman sought to redirect attention from her spotty voting record Saturday as she promoted a platform of fiscal discipline to the party faithful.

Calif. gubernatorial candidate Whitman focuses on finances as questions arise about her voting

INDIAN WELLS, Calif. — Republican gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman sought to redirect attention from her spotty voting record Saturday as she promoted a platform of fiscal discipline to the party faithful.

Michigan creeps closer to 2nd government shutdown in 3 years as budget deadline nears

LAINGSBURG, Mich. — Economically beleaguered Michigan faces a possible government shutdown — shuttering highway rest areas, state parks, construction projects and the state lottery — if lawmakers fail to reach a budget deal in the next few days.

GOP: Democratic-run Congress rushing to pass health care overhaul, ignoring public’s concerns

WASHINGTON — The Democratic-run Congress is ignoring the public’s concerns in the rush to pass legislation to overhaul the nation’s health care system, Republicans say.

Republican says Democrats are ignoring Americans’ concerns over health care reforms

WASHINGTON — Republicans say Democrats have ignored the public’s concerns in drafting new health care legislation under debate in the Senate Finance Committee.

Colo. brother-in-law of wealthy Democratic fundraiser is charged with bank fraud

NEW YORK — A Colorado man faces charges that he helped a wealthy Democratic fundraiser cheat banks out of hundreds of millions of dollars.

Calif. gubernatorial candidates pitch fiscal conservatism to party faithful at GOP convention

INDIAN WELLS, Calif. — Nearly a year ahead of their primary election, California Republicans are being asked to consider who would best represent their struggling party in a changing state with daunting challenges ahead.

AP Interview: Latino leader wants immigration reform in parts if Congress delays full bill

WASHINGTON — The head of the nation’s leading Latino legal advocacy group said if comprehensive immigration legislation seems unlikely in 2010, Congress should make down payments by passing smaller-scale reforms.

Republicans tapping lawmaker’s new fame from “You lie” outburst to raise money

WASHINGTON — The Republican Party is using the newfound fame of the lawmaker who shouted “You lie!” at President Barack Obama to raise money for GOP candidates around the country.

NY prosecutors say ex-Democratic fundraiser should serve 30 years to life in prison

NEW YORK — Prosecutors have urged a judge to sentence former Democratic fundraiser Norman Hsu to 30 years to life in prison for violating campaign finance laws.

Biden swears in Kirk, successor to late Massachusetts Sen. Edward Kennedy

WASHINGTON — Former Democratic Party chairman Paul G. Kirk Jr. stepped in Friday as the temporary replacement in the Senate for his longtime friend, the late Edward Kennedy.

Pelosi says House will consider Senate funding scheme for health care

WASHINGTON — House Democrats are considering a tax on high-cost insurance plans to help pay for health care overhaul that tops President Barack Obama’s domestic agenda.

Mass. judge rejects GOP request to delay swearing in of Kennedy’s Senate successor

BOSTON — A Massachusetts judge on Friday rejected a Republican request to delay the swearing in of Edward M. Kennedy’s temporary replacement in the Senate.

Mass. judge considering GOP request to delay swearing in of Kennedy’s Senate successor

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Republican Party asked a judge Friday to delay the swearing in of the late Sen. Edward M. Kennedy’s replacement, arguing Gov. Deval Patrick did an end-run on the constitution by appointing Paul G. Kirk Jr. before a traditional 90-day legislative waiting period had expired.